State: Westwood High Scores OK, Participation in Tests Too Low

Test scores at Westwood Regional Schools continued to rise last year, but the percentage of Westwood Regional High School students taking the SAT, PSAT and AP tests fell below state goals, according to the 2011-2012 School Performance Reports released by the Department of Education last week.

Westwood Regional met all of its targets for academic achievement and graduation and post-secondary performance, but was "lagging" compared to its peers in terms of college and career readiness — measured by items like the number of students who take college readiness tests and courses — according to the report.

A total of 79 percent of Westwood Regional students took the SAT, just shy of the state's 80 percent goal. Separately, 41 percent took the PSAT, compared to a state goal of 60 percent. The percentage of Westwood Regional students taking the SAT has increased over the past four years.

Student scores on the SAT met state goals, with 40 percent of Westwood students achieving a 1550 or higher.

Interim Superintendent Rory McCourt said the district has had "pretty significant growth" in test scores over the past two years, but they may look to have all eligible students take the PSAT next year in order to meet the state's goal.

"Although there's still room for us to grow, I was overall pleased with our results," McCourt said.

Check out Patch's interactive map comparing SAT scores around Bergen County here.

Twenty percent of Westwood Regional juniors and seniors took at least one AP test and 78 percent of those students scored a 3 or better. The state set goals of 35 percent of students taking AP tests and 75 percent scoring a 3 or better. Nearly 50 percent scored a 4 or better, McCourt previously said during a presentation.

In academic achievement, Westwood Regional exceeded state goals for HSPA math and language arts scores, according to the report. A total of 95 percent of Westwood students passed the language arts section and 86 percent passed the math section. The percentage of students passing the language arts section has increased each year over the past four years. Math scores have wavered slightly but still a higher percentage of students passed last year than four years ago.

The gap in student scores on HSPA tests at Westwood was smaller than the state average, according to the report.

McCourt also noted that the school met all of their benchmarks for subgroups like special education.

Going forward, McCourt said school officials would push to increase scores and participation, but that will not be their only focus.

"It's also important to continue to offer students a complete education experience that includes multiple assessments that go beyond standardized ones," McCourt said.

The report differs slightly from the old School Report Cards released by the state, but uses much of the same information. One change is in how schools are compared to each other. District Factor Groups have been eliminated, but new peer groups have been created which compare schools with simlar enrollment in free/reduced lunch programs, limited English proficiency or special education programs. Other Bergen County high schools listed as Westwood Regional's peers include Emerson, Mahwah, Paramus, Ramsey, River Dell Regional and Waldwick.

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